Tire-chain fastener and lock



Oct.f1.4 1924. 1,511,917-

A. A. SMITH ET AL TIRE'CLLIAIN FASTENER -AND LOCK Filled Jan. 24 ,l 1924 wrrNEssEs i Patented Oct. 14, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE."

ARTHUR A. SMITH AND HARRY W. PAINE, 0F .EAGLE GROVE, IOWA.

TIRE-CHAIN rnsrnnnn Ann Loon.

Application filed January 24, 1924. Serial No. 688,279.

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern Be it known that we, ARTHUR A. SMITH and Hanni' lW. PAINE, citizens of the United States` residing at. Eagle Grove, in the county o-" IVright and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Y Tire-Chain lFasteners and Locks, of which the following 1s a specification.

This invention relates to tire chain locks,

and is designed particularly as an improvement on the locks disclosed .in the Patents No. 1,374,771 and No. 1,462,666, issued to us on tire chain locks and elast-icl take-ups.

In the first Patent, No. 1,374,771, there is disclosed a device comprising oppositely movable hars or slides in face-to-face engagement, each bar terminating at one end in a loop and at the other end in a lug angularly related to the bar7 and a spring surrounding the `two hars and holding them in Contact and at the ends engagingthe respective lugs, the loop of one bar being snfiiciently open to form a throat to receive a link of the tire chain and also a lug of the other bar, said lug entering and sub stantially closing the open throat of the loop. f

In the second Patent, No.- 1,462,666, provisionis made through a pivotally mounted latch member, to hold the spring .com-

. pressed so that the tire chain lock maybe held in open position until the chain has been properly applied. v

The ohjert of the present invention is to provide means for holding the chain lock opeirin three different positions for the fastening-5 and unfastening of the tire chain, when applying' or detaching the tire chains from the wheels of the car.

another object is to incorporate such holding means into the structure of thefastener and lock so that one end link of the side chain may be permanently connected to and always carry saidfastener and lock therewith, while permitting the members comprising the vlatter to be elon-4 gated and to Vbe held in such position for hooking in the otherend link of said chain.

A `further object is to providelocking means for elastic fasteners or connectorsV placed on the spring of the connector, and

to rigidly hold the same at such position while the attachment is made, and which i may be readily unlocked by a mere blow to allow thev kparts to automatically move into operative position to `take up the slack in the chains.

A final object is to provide means for connecting both the side chain and the cross l chain directly to a portion of the 'chain lock.

A full and complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying. drawing forming afpart of this specification, itl being understood that while the drawingshows a practical formgof the invention, the latter is not to berconiined to strict conformity with the'showing thereof, but may be changed or modified, so long as such changes or modifications marknnoy material departure from the salient features of theinvention, as specifically pointed out y A .in the appended claims.

In the drawing, in which. similari` referi encej characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figure'szlj Figure lA is a side elevation of the improved fastener attached to the endlinks of a side ,chainA and portions of two cross chains is clogged withmud, etc.;

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view-fof the improved locking member for "holding the fastener. or connector in extended. posi-A tion. v Y

In the use of ordinary spring-contracted fasteners orconnectors 'of this class, wherein there l is novlocking' means employed, for holding the engaging members apart while attaching or detaching the lend links of the chains7 it is the commo-n practice to insert alcom or some other small object at'some convenient point for this purpose, which has always provenv very unsatisfactory.: yThe present invention has been designed to remedy this by thea-provision of meansperma i, nently secured tothe device, and adapted to` lio be easily andl quickly swung into position to hold. theconnecting members in the desired degree oit extension While performing such operations, and which, when desired, .vill automatically snap into proper position to hold the locking member 'from any swinging movement, Which might injure the tire While the car is under Way.

ln the drawing there is illustrated a fastener such as disclosed in the above-.mentioned patents, and which comprises a pair of elongated bars 1 arranged in face-to-ace engagement and constituting' oppositely sliding members which overlap each other for a major portion of their lengt-hs.

Each slidable member 1 is provided at the end which rests against the other member with ,a laterally extending cross head or lug; 2, the ends of Which `project somewhat beyondthe side edges of said members and are adapted to receive between the same a coiled spring, which surrounds the said members and Abears at its ends against said cross heads or lugs so as to constantly exert an outward pressure.

One lof the members L Where projecting beyond the cross head of `the other member,` is provided with a return bend loop or hook 4F, which is adapted to receive the end ,link 5k of a side chain of an ordinary anti-skid device, and the entrance opening into said hook is normally partially closed by the cross head Aof the other member, so that said link may not yaccidentally become diseniagr-fd therefrom.

The projecting' end of the other member 1 vis .provided with an eye or loop 6 formed by turning the bar around in a direction in line with` the cross head of the other member l, and. the said eye has anentrance opening through which a pivot pin 7 mayY be forced to assume a position transversely o the device, and to remain therein er.' 1 when forced out by pressure such as blr. from a hammer, etc.

The pivot pin lentends beyond the sides ot the eye and the ends are riveted or otl'ierwise secured in the side walls 8 of a @lip or locking member. ,which constitutes the principal novelty of the present invmition.

The side Walls 8 of the clip are suitablyv apertured for the reception ol the ends of the pivot, and the major portions ot' the Walls .is located at one side ot' lthe axis of ,tbn pivot, andare joined together at their ou or ends by a loop `9 formed integrally therewith, and partially circular, the said loop beine` deiigfnedgto receive vthe vother end link 10 of the side Ichain lof the anti-skid device.

Y 'The projeetingportions oi the side walls arefextended lttnvard the center ot the sliding members 1 to form arms 11 having; their inner edges inclined, as at 12, and joined at their endsby a cross plate 13 constituting |main 4limnfer for purpose to be erthe same andthe terminal of the inclined edge 12 of said arms 11, a recess or seat in exact alinement with the pivot pin '1 and ot Width to receive the projecting portions oit the adjacent cross head 2, when the device is in operation to resiliently hold the ends (Fing 2).

The length and proportions ot' the improved connector or if'astener are such to permit of one of the cross chains 1G having; one end link fastened to the end link of the side chain. While another cross chain may have an end link 17 secured to the loop 9, which latter provision is of great value as the said connection serves to steady the connector. u

l/Vhen the device is installed on a Wheel and the expansive force ot` the spring 3 is maintainingthe side chains in a taut condi-` tion, theadjacent cross head 2 is seated in the recess or seat 15, andthe clin or lool; is prevented from rotating about the pivot by reason of the engagement of the lingers 14 and the inclined edge 12 Wit said cross heath at which timeithe plate comprisind4 the finger 13 is located outside ot the adjacent end of the spring 3 and overhangs the saine.

l/Vhen it is desired to remove the anti.- skid device from the Wheel ot the automobile, it is only necessary to .grasp the side chain at either side of the device and exert a pull to separate the members 1 and compress the springr The locking cross head 2 is thus drawn from the seat 15, and the clip or lock may be rocked about the pivot 7 to the position shown in 'Figure 5?. wl'ien the short fingers 14- mny he enganed a;;- 'a'is1 tbc cross head 2 and a miniinum'amount ot' eitl'ension ofthe connector obtained, which may be all that is necessary to diseneagje the linl 5 trom the hook 4. should be clogged with mud` etc. .or the same `.be short` a greater amo-unt of extension ot the connector may vbc obtained for 'freeing tl@ said link by exerting a greater pull on the ends ol the chain to e'tlect a rsweater compression ot' the spring, when the. clip may be rocked in the opposite direction about the pivot, and ,the end ot the loireY finger 13 engaged with the end of the spring: 3,' as shown in Figure 5 ot the .dravvin'nt In the event the latter position oi the parts is not sutlicient to permit oft the removal of the link 5 from the hooklha further separetino` pull on the ends of the side chain to further compress the springty will permit ot a side chain of an anti-skid device in Figure with Vthe'. linger 13 engagingthe adjacent cross head '2, when the maximum amount. oi' extension ot the connector or 'fastener isobtained. In this Way, three different adjustments or positions of the device are obtained.

ln applying the anti-skid device to a Wheel. the fastener or connector is initially extended and locked by placingthe toot upon the body or bulk oit the chains upon the floorI` and connecting the end link tenin porarily in thelhook el and pulling upon the same to compress the spring, when the fingers le or the tinge-r 13 may be brought into engagement with the adjacent cross heath. and by disengaging the link the device may be Veasily applied in the usual manner, the link 5 engaged anch` b v a slight pull outwardly at a point acent to the pivot 7, or by pushing inwardly thereat, depending upon which of the fingers is in engagement With the cross head` the device Will snap into locking position with the said cross head seated in the recess 15 to be held from rocking and damaging the tire. l Y

lt will be noted that the loop 9 is partiallv circular in outline and receives the end link l() of the side chain and also the end link 17 of the cross chain. In all other types of tire chain locks, a rivet is used to attach the lock to the side chain which makes the last link of the side chain practically solid With the lock. This results in holding` the said last link in one position all the time.y

Which causes the cross chain to ivear in one spot on that link and also causes the next link ot the side chain that is attached to the last link to Wear excessively at the point of attachment. Now in the construction which has been delined` We have the partially circular loop 9 to which both the side rhaiu and the cross chain are attached, and. as the loop 9 is nearly circular. the tivo chain links l0, 1.7 may move around the loop 9 and the wear will not he limited to any particular spot. rlhis is a great advantageas it otten occurs that the link next to the lock in other types ot attachment Will break on account of the excessive Wear, While the .rest of the chain may have many miles ot vvear left in it.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a simple and easily operated locking device has been provided for use on anti-skid chain fasteners or connectors which Will greatly facilitate the application of the same to tires or the removal of the same.

AWhat is claimed is l. A tire chain fastener and lock comprising oppositely movable bars in face-toface engagement, each bar terminating at its opposite ends in a hook or loop and a cross head, a spring surrounding the tivo bars and bearing against the heads of the respective bars, and a locking member pivotally mounted to the hook ot one oi said bars and provided with a loop for the connection of the end link of a sideehain. said locking member-having a plurality ot engaging ele-l 2. A resilient tire thain lock comprising a pair of opjositely movable bars in tace-to- 'tace engagement., each bar having cross head at vone end, a coiled spring surround# ing the bars between the heads and bearing against the latter, a loop formed at the outer end of each bar, one loop being partially closed by the cross head ot the other bar and adapted to receive one of the end links of the side chains, av pivotal pin carried by the other loop, a locking member pivoted on said pin and adapted to receive the opposite end link of said side chain, said y member having opposite .long and short iingers to Contact Withthe adjacent cross head or the spring to hold the spring under different degrees of tension when attaching or detaching the tire chain from a tire.

3. A resilient tire chain lock comprisingcoacting, oppositely movable, sliding bars, a coiled spring surroi'inding the same to hold them together and to resist relativefout- Ward movement of the same'. a loop formed at the outer end of one of the bars and engaging an end link of the side chain, an eye formed at the outer end of the other bar and having a pivot pin, a locking member adapted t0 receive the other end link and pivoted. on said pin, said member having inner lingers, and an outer finger ot difierent lengths` toy engage the adjacent end ol the other bar to hold the spring under ditt'erent degrees ot' connnession.

1l. A resilient tire chain lock comprising coacting, oppositely movable, sliding bars, a coiled spring surroundii'ig the same to hold them together and to resist relativo, outward iso adjacentend of the other bar to compress j the spring and separate the ends of the'side chains for detachment.

5. A resilient tire chain lock comprising co-acting, oppositely movable, sliding bars,

a coiled spring surrounding the same to hold them` together and to resist relative, outward movement of the same, a loop formed at the outer end of one of the bars and engaging an end link of the side chain., anV eye formed at the outer end of the other har and having a pivot pin, a clip having side plates pivoted on the outer ends of said pin, a loop connecting the onter ends of the plates and adapted to receive the other end link of the side chain` a relatively rlong outer finger carried by the said plates and adapted to engage the adjacent end of the orner bar to give maximum compression to 'the spring and separate the ends of the lock for attachment, of the tire chain to a Wheel.

i3, A resilient tire Vchain lock having a pair of abutting, relatively-slidable7 spring-- compressed members, one of said members raving a hook at its outer projecting end 'for engaging an end link of the side chain, a clip pivoted to the oppositely-projeeting end of the other member and adapted to swing transversely of the members, a loop carried by the clip for engaging the opposite end link of said side chain, said clip having inner relatively short iinA Vgers normally in line with each edge of the suppor ing slidable member, and a relatively long outer finger normally in spaced relation to the other slidable member, the adjacent end of the latter being adapted to bear in the seat formed between the fingers to permit maximum contraction of the slidable members nnder the expansion vof the spring to maintain the side chains taut when in position.

A resilient tire chain lock having a pair of abutting, relatively-slidahle, spring compressed members, one of said members having a hook at its outer projecting end for engaging' an end link of the side chain.I and a cross head at its opposite end, a clip pivoted to Swingin and out at the oppositely-projecting end of the other member` said clip having a loop for the attachient ot' the other end link of the side chain and having' spa-ed side plates straddling the supporting member andreceiving the ends of the pivot, said plates having intermediate seats for normally receiving the projecting ends of said cross head under 1 pressure of the spring, and spaced, inner short fingers and a longer, outer finger for altermite engagement Withsaid cross head projections to compress the spring more or less when attaching or detaching the tire chain.

8. tire chain lock comprising a pairy of slidable bars in overlapped relation and each having a cross head at its inner end, a spring surrounding the members and exerting outward pressure on the cross heads, one member having a hook at its outer end. the other member having an eyek at vits outer end, a locking member pivoted to said eye and having an outwardly-extending loop and side plates provided with a plurality of lingers at different distances from the pivot to bear against the cross head of the other member or the spring to compress the spring more or less and maintain the lock in open position.

9. In a tire chain lock and fastener, the

combination with oppositely movable bars in face-to-face engagement., each bar terminating at its opposite ends in a loop yand a cross head, a spring surrounding the two bars between the heads, and a locking member pivoted 'to the loop of one of the bars and provided with a seat for the cross head of the other bar, said locking member having a projecting loop partially circular in` form and adapted to receive the end links of the side chain and cross chain, said links p being permitted to move around the loop and thus-avoid Wear at any point.

10. The combination with the end links of the side chains and cross chains of a tire chain, a tire chain lock and fastener comprising elements movable relatively to each other under spring compression, said lock and fastener having asa part thereof'a locking member provided With a loop par-1.

tially circular in outline, said loop being adapted to receive the end links of the side chain and cross chain, which are allowed to move about` said loop and thus avoid -Wear at any point thereon.

In testimony, that We claim the foregoing as our oivn we have hereto alfixed our signatures.

ARTHUR A. SMITH. HARRY W. PAINE. 

